Filtering of RSS pad noise in mud pulse telemetry systems and detection of RSS pad leaks

1. A computer-implemented telemetry method, comprising:

generating a first data-carrying signal which propagates along a wellbore having a drill string therein, wherein the drill string comprises a rotary steerable system (“RSS”) having RSS pads that generate an RSS pad noise signal which also propagates along the wellbore;

identifying a rotational speed of the RSS;

identifying a frequency of the RSS pad noise signal from the rotational speed of the RSS pads;

detecting a second data-carrying signal at a surface computer, the second data-carrying signal being comprised of the first data-carrying signal and the RSS pad noise signal; and

applying an adaptive filter to the second data-carrying signal at the surface computer after the RSS pad noise signal contributes in forming the second data-carrying signal, wherein the adaptive filter is applied in order to:

filter the RSS pad noise signal from the second data-carrying signal, and

generate a third data-carrying signal having a reduced RSS pad noise content.

2. The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the application of the adaptive filter includes:

performing a frequency analysis of the second data-carrying signal; and

identifying frequency peaks of the RSS pad noise signal present within the second data-carrying signal based on the frequency analysis.

3. The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the application of the adaptive filter includes:

obtaining a reference signal which does not include the RSS pad noise signal;

comparing the second data-carrying signal to the reference signal; and

identifying the RSS pad noise signal in the second data-carrying signal based on the comparison.

4. The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the application of the adaptive filter includes:

obtaining a reference signal when the RSS is running;

comparing the second data-carrying signal to the reference signal;

identifying the RSS pad noise signal in the second data-carrying signal based on the comparison.

5. The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 4 , wherein the reference signal is obtained when the RSS is running at a speed of up to 10 RPM or neutral.

6. The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1 , wherein:

the first data-carrying signal is generated by a mud pulser positioned along the drill string; and

application of the adaptive filter includes:

obtaining a reference signal while the mud pulser is not running;

comparing the second data-carrying signal to the reference signal;

identifying the RSS pad noise signal in the second data-carrying signal based on the comparison.

7. The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising:

decoding data from the third data-carrying signal; and

initiating an adjustment to at least one of a wellbore operation or a drilling operation is performed in response to the decoded data.

8. A telemetry system, comprising:

a drill string comprising a rotary steerable system (“RSS”) having RSS pads that generate an RSS pad noise signal which propagates along a wellbore;

a telemetry unit which generates a first data-carrying signal that propagates along the wellbore; and

a surface computer that:

identifies a rotational speed of the RSS,

identifies a frequency of the RSS pad noise signal from the rotational speed of the RSS pads;

detects a second data-carrying signal, the second data-carrying signal being comprised of the first data-carrying signal and the RSS pad noise signal; and

applies an adaptive filter to the second data-carrying signal, at the surface computer after the RSS pad noise signal contributes in forming the second data-carrying signal, wherein the adaptive filter is applied in order to:

filter the RSS pad noise signal, and

generate a third data-carrying signal having a reduced RSS pad noise content.

9. The system as defined in claim 8 , wherein the application of the digital filter also includes:

performing frequency analysis of the second data-carrying signal;

identifying frequency peaks of the RSS pad noise signal present within the second data-carrying signal based on the frequency analysis.

10. The system as defined in claim 8 , wherein the application of the digital filter also includes:

obtaining a reference signal which does not include the RSS pad noise signal;

comparing the second data-carrying signal to the reference signal;

based upon the comparison, identifying the RSS pad noise signal in the second data-carrying signal, based on the comparison.

11. The system as defined in claim 8 , wherein the application of the adaptive filter includes:

obtaining a reference signal when the RSS is running;

comparing the second data-carrying signal to the reference signal;

identifying the RSS pad noise signal in the second data-carrying signal based on the comparison.

12. The system as defined in claim 11 , wherein the reference signal is obtained when the RSS is running at a speed of up to 10 RPM or neutral.

13. The system as defined in claim 8 , wherein:

the telemetry unit is a mud pulser positioned along the drill string; and

the application of the adaptive filter also includes:

obtaining a reference signal while the mud pulser is not running;

comparing the second data-carrying signal to the reference signal;

identifying the RSS pad noise signal in the second data-carrying signal based on the comparison.

14. The system as defined in claim 8 , wherein data is decoded from third data-carrying signal and an adjustment to al lest one of a wellbore operation a drilling operation is performed in response to the decoded data.